tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up in 6th, pushed along 4f out, ridden and beaten over 1f out
tracked leader until led over 9f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on to hold 3rd, no chance with leading duo
led over 6f, tracked leader, ridden to lead again over 1f out, kept on well but headed and no extra final 50 yards
tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd inside final furlong, led final 50 yards, ran on well
held up in 6th, pushed along 4f out, headway and wide home turn, son bumped, 6th and one pace final furlong
held up in last pair, never on terms
tracked leaders on inside, pushed along edging left when outpaced over 2f out, rallied on inner under pressure over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
EL KALDOUN has been in fine form over fences and won at Taunton on his latest start. He made a winning debut over course and distance back in 2018 and is preferred to stablemate Barbados Blue. The latter disappointed over hurdles on her comeback at Kempton’s Boxing Day meeting but Northern Poet finished runner-up over timber last month and has gone close over track and trip in the past. Brecon Hill and Alrightjack have been chasing without success though the former has won two of only three starts in bumpers so far.
Alrightjack (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Prominent, led 4th, reminders 6th, dived left and headed next, led again 10th, ridden and headed 12th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Maypole Class (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Brecon Hill (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Held up, ridden and reminders after 10th, pushed along and weakened after 13th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out, at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Carole's Templer 66-1 (11-2) Raced handy, ridden before 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 11, dist behind Golden Gift (11-2) at Huntingdon 3m 1f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
El Kaldoun (FR) 15-2 (11-1) Prominent early stages, tracked leader after the 5th (usually 9th) niggled along and left in 2nd 3 out, disputed lead after 2 out, kept on well when hard-ridden after the last, game, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Storm Home (10-12) by hd, 10 ran.
Eye Of An Eagle (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Mid-division, closed 5th, tracking leaders when hampered before 2 out, soon beaten, 9th of 12, 20 1/2l behind Just So Cool (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Freddy Mac (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden prior to 3 out, weakened, 10th of 12, dist behind One True King (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Northern Poet (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Midfield, headway to chase leaders 8th, ridden and went second before 2 out, kept on well from last, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Thibault (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Whatthebutlersaw (IRE) 22-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway when dived right 3 out, never involved, 6th of 10, 18l behind Tight Call (12-1) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Barbados Blue (IRE) 11-2fav (10-7) Mid-division until blundered and slithered on landing 4th, towards rear and never on terms after, 11th of 15, dist behind Monte Cristo (11-7) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
